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Bobcat Re Man Arrested After Beincove After Getting Police Car g Hi Stuck in Chimney

Three Men Exonerated After Four Decades in Prison

Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed for 79 yards on 23 carries in Sundays win. (Courtesy Photo) (From L to R) Andrew Stewart, Ransom Watkins and Alfred Chestnut, were released and exonerated after spending 36 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. (Photo: CBS News/YouTube)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Alfred Chestnut, Ransom Watkins and Andrew Stewart were released and exonerated after spending 36 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit.

The men were teenagers when they received a life sentence in 1984 after being convicted of murdering 14-yearold DeWitt Duckett in Baltimore.

“Everyone involved in this case — school officials, police, prosecutors, jurors, the media, and the community — rushed to judgment and allowed their tunnel vision to obscure obvious problems with the evidence,” said Shawn Armbrust, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, which represents Watkins.

“This case should be a lesson to everyone that the search for quick answers can lead to tragic results,” Armbrust stated.

DeWitt reportedly was shot in the neck following a dispute over a jacket as he walked to class at Harlem Park Junior High School in Baltimore.

Marilyn Mosby, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, reopened the case earlier this year because of lingering questions and recent revelations of corruption in the city’s

Rams Dominate In Win

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The L.A. Rams came out smoking last week against the Seattle Seahawks playing an aggressive game throughout the night.

Jarred Goff had a solid game throwing for two touchdowns. Malcom Brown and Todd Gurley rushed for a touch downs and the defense found a way to control Russell Wilson. This all led to a 28-12 Rams win in front of a hyped up Coliseum crowd of 71,501.

“There was a buzz even just walking out there,” said Rams Head Coach Sean McVay. Seattle scored first on a field goal then the Rams reeled off twenty-one straight points. It started with an 8 play 75 yard dive that included a key third down passes

by Goff to Robert Woods that netted 19 yards. Then later Goff hit Woods on a 15 yarder. He later hit tight end Tyler Higbee on a 33yard pass for the first score.

The then had a 12 play 85 yard drive where Goff hit Woods on a two yard pass.

Todd Gurley looked like his old self rushing for 79 yards on 23 carries. He had a seven yard touchdown run where he stiff-armed the Seahawks Cody Burton

knocking him off his feet before crossing the goal line. ”Vintage Todd,” said Goff. “He’s a bad man that’s what I told him.”

Goff finished the day completing 22 of 31 passes for 293 yards and 2 interceptions. Higbee and Woods led the team with 7 catches each for 116 and 98 yards respectfully as the Rams rolled up 455 yards of offense.

The Defense held the Seahawks (10-3) to just field goals Russell Wilson went 22 of 36 for 245. He was also held to 45 yards rushing on 5 carries. His loan interception by Samson Embukam who also sacked Wilson twice.

“They got up early made some plays and stopped us on third down,” said Wilson.

The Seahawks had 16 first downs compared tom the Rams 8.

The Rams are trying to get a play-off spot trying to catch Minnesota (9-4) who be Detroit last week 20-7.

Cory Littleton led the Rams in tackles with eighttwo solo. The Rams were fired up all game. “We know what’s at stake,“ said LB Donte Fowler. ”I mean it’s no secret.”

Continued on page A3

Powerful Book for Young Black Boys Celebrates 25 Years with a Pledge to Get 1 Million New Readers Jerald LeVon Hoover became the published author of a Young Adult (YA) title, one of a few books targeted toward young Black and Brown boys ages 12 and up, My Friend, My Hero. This novella has become a staple, as recommended reading in elementary through high schools across the country and around the world. That is a distinct honor Hoover shares with a short list of African-American male YA authors including: Walter Dean Myers, Kevin Powell, Kwame Alexander, and Ralph Burgess.

My Friend, My Hero, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a commemorative edition that includes an addendum of book discussion questions and now available; a full curriculum with a companion Student Success Guidebook, Teacher’s Guide, and Unit Assessments containing lesson plans. The goal is to promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom by providing strategies for students to make better choices and gain much needed confidence to support unleashing their inner greatness.

Hoover states, “Exposing Black and Brown chil-

dren to a barrage of negative imagery and expecting their positive self-image to remain intact is ridiculous, insensitive, unjust, and unfair.”

Hoover then adds, “Young Black and Brown men are focused, gifted, driven, intelligent, and masterful at a host of other talents besides rap music and competitive sports; of which carries no shame, but we have other skill sets of significant influence. We are men of honor and integrity, regardless of whether we are born into poverty or wealth.

But how can young Black and Brown men, or men of any race for that matter, define themselves and live up to their full potential if they only receive distorted representations?”

Hoover continues, “My Friend, My Hero is intended for all youth (races and genders), but I gave the spotlight to young, Black and Brown males because of the dire need for young Black and Brown men to have access to more positive representations of themselves to which they can relate.”

Celebrating 25 Years in Print, My Friend, My Hero, is the first in the acclaimed The Hero Book Series by Jerald LeVon Hoover. Other titles from The Hero Book Series are He Was My Hero, Too, A Hopeful Hero, and Hoop Hero. The novella took nine years to get published after forty rejections and sixty drafts.

ABOUT THE BOOK Bennett Wilson has the world at his fingertips as one of the top basketball players in New York State who is destined to lead Mount Vernon High School to the state championship for the first time. Many of the nation’s top colleges are already reaching out, eager to sign him to their roster. Scholarships are guaranteed. Still young, Bennett is used to fanfare and eagerly anticipating his rise to fame and fortune. Yet, all is not as it appears.

Strife and difficulties plague Bennett’s personal life.

Growing up in Mount Vernon, he is the son of a single mother and the oldest of three, sharing a tiny apartment in the tough inner-city projects. Life is a struggle. Bennett knows his ticket to freedom is through basketball and academic excellence. Thanks to the support of his loyal friend Kirby and a budding romance with Tara, he pursues his dreams and refuses to get caught up in the fast life of the streets.

Things change when Bennett learns his mother’s health is failing. She has fallen far behind on the rent, and they face eviction. The weight of responsibility falls on Bennett’s shoulders, just as trouble and the troublemakers appear. Fast money seems to be the only option. Will Bennett try to help his family and risk ruining his future? Will Bennett finally succumb to the dangers and temporary comfort of the street life he has fought so hard to avoid?

And if he give in, what will it cost him?

Purchase the book on Amazon or learn more at https://theherobookseries.com Jerald LeVon Hoover released his debut YA title My Friend, My Hero in 1992. A year later, he was awarded Best New Male Writer of

Bill to Ease Harsh Discipline Against Girls of Color BOSTON, MS (AP) – U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is pushing legislation aimed at confronting what she described as punitive disciplinary actions taken disproportionately against girls of color in school.

The Massachusetts Democrat said from kindergarten through their senior year in high school, black girls are seven times more likely to be suspended as white girls, and four times more likely to be arrested at school.

Pressley said Latino and Native American girls are also suspended from school at higher rates than white girls.

Pressley’s bill would establish $2.5 billion in new federal grants to help states and districts that commit to ban unfair and discriminatory school discipline practices and improve school climates.

The bill would also strengthen the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights by setting aside $2.5 billion for additional enforcement and monitoring while also creating a federal task force.

Tuskegee Airman Celebrates 100th Birthday with Flight

FREDERICK, MD (AP) – A member of the Tuskegee Airmen celebrated his 100th birthday by taking a flight.

Retired Army Air Forces Col. Charles McGee flew a private jet Friday between Frederick, Maryland, and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, news outlets reported.

The Tuskegee Airmen is the nickname of the first African American unit to fly combat airplanes in World War II. The Air Force recently honored the famed group of airmen with the naming of its new trainer jet.

McGee is one of the Air Force’s most celebrated pilots. He flew 409 fighter combat missions over three wars.

McGee, who turned 100 on Saturday, attributes positive thinking to his longevity.

Stealth Fighter Display Opens at Reagan Library

Jerald LeVon Hoover released his debut YA title My Friend, My Hero in 1992. A year later, he was awarded Best New Male Writer of the Year by the Literary Society in Virginia for this novella.

the Year by the Literary Society in Virginia for this novella.

He was also listed among bestselling Black authors, from 1994 – 1996 in various African-American publications.

In 1995, Hoover was awarded the WritersCorp Award by President Bill Clinton. In 1998, Jerald was inducted into the Mount Vernon Boy’s and Girl’s Club Hall of Fame.

This is the same Boy’s and Girl’s Club in which Denzel Washington grew up and to which Denzel regularly supports. Jerald went on to become a career sportswriter who has covered the New York Knicks and the New Jersey/ Brooklyn Nets for the Black Athlete Sports Network, The Network Journal, Sportstyle New York, Pure Sports New York, and BustaSports.com.

In 2007, Basketball Hall of Fame and New York Post writer Peter Vecsey featured Jerald Hoover in a Sunday spread, recognizing him for his first documentary, Four Square Miles to Glory.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) – An exhibit displaying the first operational stealth fighter opened at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

The F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter was unveiled during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the museum in Simi Valley Saturday, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

The stealth fighter joins an F-14 fighter as part of a permanent display about Reagan’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s defenses.

The aircraft, given tail number 803 and nicknamed “Unexpected Guest,’’ entered service in May 1984 and flew 78 missions, more than all other F-117s combined, officials said.

The F-117 Nighthawk was designed to evade radar as a sub-sonic aircraft that used radar-absorbing material. The aircraft’s angular shape was designed to reflect radar waves. It was painted black to make it more difficult to see against the sky while flying precision strikes at night, officials said.

Lockheed Martin produced 59 operational F-117s and five developmental prototypes between 1981 and 2008, but the aircraft was not publicly acknowledged until 1988. It was born in the aerospace company’s socalled Skunk Works in Burbank, California.

The aircraft came to the museum as a joint project between the Reagan Foundation & Institute and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Lockheed spent $1 million to restore the airplane and the foundation spent $200,000 to install it as part of the library’s Peace Through Strength exhibit, officials said.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Stimpert, who attended the unveiling, flew 500 hours in the fighter between 1987 and 1991.

He was assigned to fly the F-117 while it was still a secret aircraft and saw the stealth fighter’s full potential in January 1991 over Iraq during the Gulf War, he said.

“I know we’d seen tests where it worked but I hoped it really would,’’ Stimpert said. “The first real baptism by fire was the opening night of the Gulf War over Baghdad. We flew 1,300 total sorties (missions) and not one was struck.’’

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

World & Nation

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Justice for Rodney Reed!

Family, Supporters Press Texas Governor for New Trial for Man on Death Row Further, renown forensic pathologists including Dr. Michael Baden, Dr. Werner Spitz, Dr. LeRoy Riddick, M.D., and Dr. Cyril Wecht, have all concluded that Rodney Reed’s guilt is medically and scientifically impossible; Mr. Reed and Ms. Stites were having a consensual sexual relationship although at the time of the trial, no one came forward to corroborate their relationship. Today, new witnesses including Stites’s cousin and a co-worker, Alicia Slater, have corroborated Rodney Reed’s claim that they knew that Reed and Stites were romantically involved for months after the murder, and Jimmy Fennell was the prime suspect in the case. Mr. Fennell’s best friend at the time of the crime, Bastrop Sheriff’s Officer Curtis Davis, has now revealed that Mr. Fennell gave an inconsistent account of where he was on the night of the murder.

Two witnesses have come forward in recent weeks and submitted signed affidavits that add to the mounting evidence against Mr. Fennell. These affidavits include testimony from an insurance salesperson who stated that Mr. Fennell threatened to kill Ms. Stites while applying for life insurance. The second witness was a deputy in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the murder, who alleges Mr. Fennell made an alarming and incriminating statement at Ms. Stites’s funeral regarding her body. Then there is an alleged a confession by Mr. Fennell that came to light Oct. 29. Mr. Fennell served 10 years and was released from prison in 2018 after being convicted of assaulting a woman who was in his custody as a police officer. Arthur Snow, a former member of the Aryan Brotherhood and prison mate of Mr. Fennell, disclosed a conversation in which Mr. Fennell allegedly confessed to murdering Stacey

Rodney’s case has caught the attention of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian—who Mrs. Reed said has called, kept in touch and who is working behind the scenes along with rapper Meek Mill. Prison abolitionists, anti-death penalty advocates, ministers, priests and pastors have joined to lift their voices calling for Gov. Abbott to issue a stay of execution and order a new trial.

Journalist and social justice activist Shaun King started a petition that had garnered more than 2 million signatures.

Then on Oct. 10-11, Dr. Phil McGraw explored the case on his television show to consider Mr. Reed’s claims of innocence.

“I don’t think it’s a question of whether he’s guilty or not guilty,” said Dr. Phil, who had an in-person interview with Mr. Reed, according to the Death Penalty Information Centre. “I think the question is, has he had a fair trial with a full airing of all of the evidence. And I think the answer to that question, in my opinion, is not just ‘no’ but ‘hell no.’”

The Innocence Project and Rodney Reed are seeking DNA testing of evidence that they say will exonerate him.

Mrs. Reed described the conditions under which her brother-in-law has lived for the past two decades.

“He’s incredibly strong. God has allowed me to see and witness true strength,” she said. “I went to visit him.

He was upbeat. He is in a 6-foot square cell 23 hours a day, 7 days a week. He’s a big man in small space. He has pretty severe sensory deprivation. He’s not allowed to hug his mother, family or friends since all this time. But despite all that he’s pretty positive.”

She said Mr. Reed has no access to a computer, cell

(Photo: The Final Call)

By Barrington M. Salmon Contributing Writer, The Final Call A crowd some of Rodney Reed’s family members estimated was about 1,000 people, recently gathered at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Texas demanding that Gov. Greg Abbott act to halt the execution of Mr. Reed in a controversial murder case.

In the past several months, there has been a groundswell of support for Mr. Reed, 51, who has been on death row for 20 years. In 1996, he was charged with and convicted of the rape and murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites by an all-White jury.

Rodney Reed and his family have always maintained his innocence and his brother and family spokesman Roderick Reed said the family wants a stay of execution and a new trial.

Rodney Reed is scheduled for execution Nov. 20 when an appeals court stepped in November 15th to suspend his death sentence indefinitely. The decision also ordered the court where he was originally tried to consider new evidence in the case.

“All we want is a fair trial. That’s all we’re asking for,” Mr. Reed told The Final Call. “We want to be able to present witnesses and new evidence and clear his name … I believed he would have gotten off when he was on trial because we knew the truth. He and the rest of us as a family have always stood in that truth.”

Roderick Reed said he knew his brother and Ms. Stites had been in a relationship and had met Ms. Stites but because of the racial climate and the potential for backlash and retaliation, the couple had kept their relationship secret. Ms. Stites, at the time, was engaged to a police officer, Jimmy Fennell, who many believed was her killer.

The uncovering of new evidence, recent affidavits from witnesses that point to Mr. Fennell’s involvement in Ms. Stites’ death and enduring questions about details of the victim’s death necessitates a new trial, Mr. Reed’s supporters say.

Roderick Reed and his wife Wana recounted the isolation the family endured. The family approached local churches and civil rights organizations for help but was rebuffed, he said.

“The family had been turned down repeatedly by lo-

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cal clergy. The Nation of Islam was the only one present,” said Student Min. Robert L. Muhammad, who has been supporting the Reed family for about 17 years. “The family has been disappointed and dismayed but recently, we have seen a great outpouring of support recently that is very encouraging.”

Mrs. Reed concurred.

“We were shunned by their people, shunned by Black press,” she recalled. “When the family first went out to Black churches, one pastor said, ‘I wouldn’t touch this with a 10-foot pole.’ ” Both spoke of the Reed brothers—Robert, Ronald, Richard, Roderick, Ryan—being denied jobs because of their last names, and some older family members staying away from the family home for fear of being shot, ostracized or punished for their family ties.

Bastrop, Texas is 33 miles from Austin, the state capital and 85 miles from San Antonio. In 2017, the town had 8,802 residents. Min. Muhammad and the Reeds described a small Southern town steeped in racism, with the typical American racial hierarchy of Whites on top, Latinos in the middle and Blacks languishing at the bottom.

“Bastrop is racist but it’s lot different and deeper now,” Mrs. Reed said. “You don’t realize how deep it is because it’s almost second nature. It’s so deeply engrained in people.

But it’s not like how it used to be. We have Confederate monuments on the courthouse lawn. Things may be getting better but there is always a sense of looming White supremacy and the racial hierarchy.”

Min. Muhammad, who heads Muhammad Mosque No. 64 in Austin, agreed.

“Bastrop has a history of racism that existed there from the early 1900s to the ‘70s and ‘80s,” said Minister Muhammad, who was born and raised in nearby Austin, which is a considerably more liberal city.

Mr. Reed said he knew his brother was dating Ms. Stites although that wasn’t common knowledge. His brother, his sister-in-law said, got caught up in the narrative of a Black guy was in relationship with White woman in a Southern town.

Staff at The Innocence Project, which is handling Mr. Reed’s case, and the Reed family have raised a number of troubling questions and highlighted a series of discrepancies which they say all add up to Mr. Reed being an innocent man railroaded by the criminal justice system. It includes discrepancies about the time of Ms. Stites’ death as well as, the fact that the murder weapon, a belt, has never been tested for DNA evidence; and the state’s three forensic experts’ admission on the record to errors in their testimony, which led to Rodney Reed’s conviction and death sentence. They have submitted affidavits that the original time of death is inaccurate, charging the timeline for Mr. Reed killing Stites implausible.

(Photo: The Final Call)

Stites stating, “I had to kill my nigg**-loving fiancée.”

The prosecution’s only forensic evidence linking Rodney Reed to the crime was semen taken from Ms. Stites’s body, which was attributed to the consensual relationship between them. The prosecution used this to connect him to the murder and refute a consensual romantic relationship, but some testimony has been recanted and discredits the state’s case, The Innocence Project said.

“We identify as death penalty abolitionists,” Mrs. Reed said. “Gov. (Greg) Abbott has been silent. He’s aware of Rodney’s case but has not made any statement, said nothing about it. He may be waiting for the (state) Supreme Court to act.”

Mrs. Reed said there are many holes in this case and substantial doubt.

“We want the state to give Rodney’s life back, show that he’s innocent,” she said. “The family wants them to stop the execution ASAP. Abbott can issue a stay and he has the power to direct this towards a new case.”

phone, or technology. He has supporters who reach out to him and that happens through his partner Judy Ann, who shares every day comments from his supporters and updates.

“He has family visits two hours a week. There’s a lot to get out because he’s trying to get everything out,” she said.

“It can be a little tense sometimes. Rodney remains very strong and is being cautiously optimistic.”

Roderick Reed said his brother’s incarceration has been “a game-changer, life changing.”

“Dealing with this for this amount of time is a life changer. It has changed our lives. We’ll never be the same,” he said. “But every day knowing the truth and that Rodney’s innocent and this experience has brought me to a whole other place in my mind.”

Now, Roderick Reed said, he’s focused, looking forward to the day when his brother comes home.

“I’m very optimistic. He will be exonerated. We will have time to heal,” he concluded.

Was College this Student’s will Killing a Hate Crime? Jury Decide!

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN more to combat hate on campuses.

Associated Press “Much work remains to be done,” she said.

UPPER MARLBORO, MD (AP) – Three friends Urbanski is charged with first-degree murder and a were waiting at a bus stop on the University of Maryland’s hate crime. He faces a possible sentence of life in prison campus around 3 a.m. on a Saturday when a stranger ap- without the possibility of parole if he is convicted. Jury proached them, screaming. selection is scheduled to start Monday.

“Step left, step left if you know what’s best for you,” the 22-year-old white man told the friends, according to Defense lawyers failed to persuade Circuit Court police.

Judge Lawrence Hill Jr. to exclude the racist memes and “No,” one of the friends, a black man, said before the Facebook group as trial evidence. One of the memes “advowhite man plunged a knife into his chest.

Police arrested Sean Urbanski at the bus stop, 50 feet from where 23-year-old Richard Collins III, was dying. After fatally stabbing Collins, Urbanski folded the knife, slipped it into his pocket and sat down on a bench until police arrived, a prosecutor has said.

When Urbanski’s murder trial starts this week, Prince George’s County prosecutors will argue Collins’ killing was a hate crime carried out by a man biased against black people. Urbanski liked a Facebook group called “Alt-Reich: Nation” and saved at least six photographs of racist memes on his phone, according to prosecutors.

Defense attorneys say there is no evidence of a racist motive for what occurred at the bus stop that night in May 2017. Witnesses told police that Urbanski was drunk and screaming incoherently when he approached the friends, one of his lawyers has said.

The killing coincided with a surge in hate on U.S. college campuses. Reports of white supremacists posting fliers and other propaRichard Collins III ganda on campuses more than tripled in 2017, Sean Urbanski according to a tally by the Anti-Defamation League. In August 2017, torch-toting white supremacists cates violence against blacks,” while another has an image marched through the University of Virginia’s campus on of a noose, a handgun and poison, a prosecutor has said. the eve of a rally that led to violent clashes and bloodshed.

During a hearing in June, defense attorney William Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Brennan cited a New York Times article in which an adLawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said it’s ministrator of the Facebook group said it was satire. “unfortunate” that higher-education officials, including Hunter College sociology professor Jessie Daniels, from the U.S. Department of Education, haven’t done an expert in online racism, said pushing boundaries be-

tween parody and harmful hate is “baked into the far-right culture.”

“Just saying something is playing with humor doesn’t give it a free pass,” said Daniels, who is writing a book entitled, “Tweet Storm: The Rise of the Far-Right.”

Prosecutors wanted to call Daniels as an expert witness to testify about her research and the material from Urbanski’s phone.

The judge, however, ruled out any testimony by Daniels at the trial. Urbanski’s lawyers said prosecutors didn’t give them adequate notice of her testimony and argued Daniels would mislead the jury.

Daniels said some of the memes on Urbanski’s phone are somewhat hard to decipher because they contain “multiple layers of inside jokes.” Others are overtly racist, she added.

“Online white supremacy has real consequences,” Daniels said. “Words have power, and they can cause people real harm.”

Collins was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army shortly before his death. He was days from graduating from Bowie State University, a historically black college. Collins was visiting friends at the University of Maryland on the night of his killing.

Prosecutors say Urbanski, a former University of Maryland student, stabbed Collins because he was the only black person at the bus stop that night. His friends were a white male and an Asian female.

Brennan has said there’s no evidence Collins was “selected” because he was black.

Dawn and Richard Collins Jr. created a foundation in their son’s name. In a video posted on the foundation’s website, Dawn Collins said they were proud to see their son receive his Army commission.

In one of their last conversations, her son said, “Mom, I made it, and the world is going to know my name,”’ she recalled.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

House Passes Voting Exonerated After Rights Measure to 4 Decades in Prison Restore Portions of Law Gutted in 2015 xBy Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent More than four years after sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were taken out by the Supreme Court and following four attempts under a House led by Republicans, Rep. Terri Sewell’s (R-Ala.) bill to reinstate voting protections has finally passed.

“Voting is personal to me because it was on the streets of my hometown, Selma, that foot soldiers shed their blood on the Edmund Pettus Bride so that all Americans – regardless of race – could vote,” Sewell, who is African American, wrote on Twitter.

“I am so proud the House voted to #RestoreTheVote,” she added.

The measure, H.R. 4, passed by a 228-187 margin, with all Democrats voting in favor while Sewell and Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick counted as the only Republicans to support the legislation.

Many are now calling on the Senate to take up the measure.

Rev. Dr. William Barber, the president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and the architect of the Moral Mondays Movement in North Carolina, counts among those calling out Senate leaders.

“The U.S. House passed legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act,” Barber stated.

“If [GOP Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell refuses to take it up in the Senate, he’s confessing that he believes the GOP can’t win without voter suppression.”

Gerrymandering, unfair voter I.D. laws, and intimidation at the polls are among the tactics being used to prevent voters of color from casting votes, stated Marcela Howell, the founder, and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda.

“Passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act by the House is a first step toward restoring our democracy.

We applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019,” Howell stated.

“The wholesale disenfranchisement of voters threatens our democracy. Conservative lawmakers across the country are pulling out all the stops to prevent people of color – especially Black people – from exercising our right to vote,” she stated.

Howell continued: “We didn’t march and die fighting for our right to vote only to have that right denied us in this new Jim Crow era –fueled by the racist policies of conservative state legislators and the terrible decision in Shelby v. Holder by the Supreme Court that reinforced these oppressive laws.

“We call on Sen. Mitch McConnell to follow the leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to stop the assault on voting rights by scheduling a Senate vote on the Voting Rights Advancement Act as soon as possible.

“We encourage voters across the country to unite in resistance by holding their elected representatives accountable and, most of all, by exercising their right to vote in local, state, and federal elections.”

Sewell’s bill initially would cover 11 states, including nine in the South, and also California and New York.

The bill would require all states to get federal approval for election changes known to disproportionately affect voters of color, like strict voter I.D. laws, tighter voter registration requirements, and polling place closures in areas with large numbers of minority voters.

The Voting Rights Act is perhaps the most significant piece of civil rights legislation in U.S. history, Senate Mi-

nority Leader Chuck Schumer stated.

For more than 50 years, the law stood as a powerful force to prevent the type of racial discrimination in voting that marred America’s history before the bill’s passage, Schumer stated.

“The Supreme Court’s disastrous decision in Shelby County v. Holder gutted this critical legislation and unleashed a surge of pernicious Republican-led voter suppression laws,” he continued.

“The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This is a critical step towards

(From L to R) Andrew Stewart, Ransom Watkins and Alfred Chestnut, were released and exonerated after spending 36 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. (Photo: CBS News/YouTube) Continued from page A1

police department that allegedly stretched back for decades.

Chestnut also sent a query to the city’s Conviction Integrity Unit, which the Washington Post said included exculpatory evidence that he uncovered in 2018.

An assistant prosecutor who worked on the case in 1984 reportedly said that prosecutors had no reports at the time that would have cast doubt on the guilt of the three men.

Following their conviction, court records were sealed, and it wasn’t until a year ago, that Chestnut had successfully obtained the related documents through a freedom of information request.

According to the District Attorney’s office, the police records revealed that several witnesses told authorities that the person responsible was an 18-year-old who immediately fled the scene and dumped his weapon.

Instead, the Baltimore police focused their investigation on Chestnut, Watkins, and Stewart. The alleged shooter was fatally shot in 2002.

“On behalf of the criminal justice system, and I’m sure this means very little to you, gentlemen, I’m going to apologize,” Circuit Court Judge Charles Peters told the men at a hearing on Monday, November 25.

Peters said the men are entirely exonerated.

Official portrait of Rep. Terri Sewell., U.S. House of Representatives

restoring the protections of the Voting Rights Act and beating back the scourge of voter suppression,” Schumer added.

He continued: “The right to vote is the very wellspring of our democracy. Generations have organized, protested, marched, and died to extend the franchise to all Americans.

“It is incumbent upon every member of Congress to continue to fight to increase, rather than impede, access to the ballot box and ensure that every eligible American can have their voice heard. I urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring this legislation to the floor of the Senate.

Voting rights are simply too important to be banished to Leader McConnell’s legislative graveyard.”

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): DANIEL RAMIREZ, AN INDIVIDUAL; MARIA DEL CARMEN RAMIREZ, AN INDIVIDUAL; FIRST AMERICAN FUNDING, LLC; and ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN, CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN, OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE TO PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD ON PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO, as DOES 1-20, inclusive The real property that is the subject of this action is located in Los Angeles County and is commonly known as 36520 Nickel Street, Palmdale, CA 93550, bears Parcel ID Number: 3052-066-026 and is more particularly described as: LOT 48, OF TRACT NO. 46788, IN THE CITY OF PALMDALE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 1134 PAGE(S) 16 TO 21 INCLUSIVE OF MAPS AND AS AMENDED IN BOOK 1171 PAGE(S) 78 TO 83 INCLUSIVE OF MAPS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): The Bank of New York Mellon f/k/a (Additional Parties Attachment form is Attached) CASE NUMBER (Numero del caso) 19AVCV00454 NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfor.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property

may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIOS despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov/), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de

lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte. ca.gov/) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de obogados locales.

AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT Michael D. Antonovich-Antelope Valley Courthouse 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es: VICTORIA J. TSOONG, CHUCK & TSOONG, LLP, 700 N. Brand Blvd., #440, Glendale, CA 91203, (626) 689-4000 Date: (Fecha) June 19, 2019 Sherri R. Carter Executive Officer/ Clerk of Court, Clerk, By (Secretario) Jade Ziegler, Deputy (Adjunto) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: you are served as an individual defendant.

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 2019

Petitioner: GIANNA MARTINEZ for a decree changing names as follows: Present name GANESA GIANNA CISNEROS Filed a petition with this court Proposed name GANESA GIANNA MARTINEZ THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Jan 16, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: S-26 Room: 5500 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER Date: Dec 5, 2019 Michael P. Vicencia JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT Elizabeth Salcido DEPUTY PETITIONER: Gianna Martinez (For minor Ganesa Gianna Cisneros) 906 Oakmere Dr Harbor City, Ca. 90710 Phone: (310) 529-0635 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 12, 19, 26, 2019, Jan 2, 2020 �������������������������������

������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 19LBCP00439 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 275 Magnolia, Los Angeles, CA 90802 Branch Name: Govenor George Deukmejian Courthouse PETITION OF: GIANNA MARTINEZ FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Get The Valley’s News Observer Online at www.

OGNSC.COM Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Oldest Black Church in US Finishes Repairs SAVANNAH, GA (AP) – A 160-year-old church believed to be the oldest black church in the United States and built by enslaved Africans has been restored to a version of its former glory.

A fresh coat of paint covers the freshly carpeted First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, which also had its bell tower fixed, water damaged ceilings repaired and stucco replaced, the Savannah Morning News reported Saturday.

It cost nearly $600,000 to repair numerous issues, the Rev. Thrumond Tillman said. The church, a National Historic Landmark, was organized in 1773, according to the website, which says the church gained a pastor in 1775 and a congregation two years later. The sanctuary was completed in 1859.

Some historic pieces were left untouched during the restoration, such as the pews the church says are carved with West African Arabic script, one of the earliest forms of writing. The original sanctuary still is dotted with holes that were arranged in the shape of an African prayer symbol of life, death and rebirth, according to the church’s website.

It was those holes that allowed runaway slaves to breathe as they traveled along the Underground Railroad and stopped at the church, according to the newspaper.

The church would continue to play a central role in Savannah’s black community, later acting as a meeting place for civil rights activists, including pastors who took part in sit-ins and marches.

Sheila Jackson’s father, the Rev. Curtis J. Jackson, led the church between 1957 and 1961, during which she says she spotted the writing that she later identified as West African Arabic script. That moment of realization made her appreciate the church.

“First African is much more than a church building,’’ said Jackson, who now lives in Atlanta. “It was built by slaves, it was part of the Underground Railroad, and it served as the foundation for the civil rights movement in Savannah. It tells the story of who we are as a people.’’

The congregation turns 242 on Thursday and is set to celebrate the birthday with four days of events, including a movie night and worship on Sunday morning.

Incidents Like Gabrielle Union’s “Too Black” Hair Will Soon Be Protected By Law

By California Black Media Staff On Jan. 1, 2020, California will enact a new law, the CROWN Act or Senate Bill 188, that protects Black women and men from discrimination in the workplace for wearing natural hairstyles.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law, the first of its kind in the nation, in July.

Authored by state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who is African American, the bill expands the definition of racial discrimination to include hair.

“We believe this is just the beginning of the end to hair discrimination. It’s another chink in the armor of racial discrimination in this country and I’m just proud to be part of the movement,” Mitchell said when the governor signed her bill.

Just weeks before the law takes effect, news broke that SAG-AFTRA, the Los Angeles-based labor union representing more than 160,000 television and film industry professionals, is investigating the circumstances of popular actress Gabrielle Union’s dismissal from her job as a judge on the NBC television series “America’s Got Talent,” partly because of her rotating natural hairstyles.

Four sources who claim to have insider information about the way decision makers at the

television competition series treated Union say the actress received more than six notes describing her hairstyles as “too black.”

Union, known for her roles in more than 25 films and as the star of the long-running BET series “Being Mary Jane,” has not made public comment about the incident. But her husband, NBA star Dwayne Wade, has tweeted about her firing.

If Union decides to sue NBC or the show’s producers for hair discrimination, she will not be able to stand on the CROWN act, which stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair, because of the timing of her case.

But the show producers have confirmed that they are speaking with Union’s representatives to resolve their differences.

Some Twitter users are calling for a boycott of the show.

A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Sports

Los Angeles Chargers Players Participate in the My Cause, My Cleats Campaign

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com We’ve all heard the saying, wear your heart on your sleeve. Instead of wearing their heart on their sleeve, NFL players are wearing their hearts on their feet, in Weeks 14 and 15 of this NFL Season. In support of the My Cause, My Cleats campaign this season, several players will be wearing specially designed cleats promoting off the field causes which are near and dear to their hearts. This article will highlight the multiple Chargers players and the foundations that they have chosen to support.

Joey Bosa After meeting Sean Fredella who diagnosed defeated Leukemia three times by the end third grade. Sean was cured after an arduous battle, and many rounds of chemo.

Recognizing that only 4% of funding goes to Pediatric Cancer research, Joey felt it necessary to lend his voice to this cause. Very modestly Bosa tells me that, “being a football player, you’re always traveling and you’ll always have opportunities to affect the youth. If their able to have a smile on their face, it put everything in perspective.” As joey takes the field for Morethan4 this next, you can add your donation by clicking on this link https://pledgeit. org/joeybosa-morethan4 additionally you can hear Bosa discuss why the MORE THAN 4initiative is important to him by clicking on the link below. https://youtu.be/ DM1V5Dujgfc Desmond King- Defensive Back https://www. autismspeaks.org/ In his own words, Desmond mentioned his “this year, I’ll be supporting Autism. My little brother was diagnosed with Autism. That’s one of the causes I also support in all my years playing football.” His shoes are designed by his brother Devon, as he wants to keep him a part of the process. Desmond’s younger brother was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. A condition that affects brain development and creates challenges with communication, social skills, and behavior. After losing his older brother to gun violence, Desmond took Devon under his wing.

“He wanted to keep Devon like Armon kept him.” per his mother. Click on the link below to hear King speak about his purpose himself, https://youtu.be/mKh9sCb_D7E

Uchenna Nwosa This Southern California native grew up in Carson, Calif., then attended the University of Southern California where he earned a degree in political science. Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers is 2018 Uchenna Nwosu was not sure how to respond when he found out his mother was inflicted “by diabetes.” In his own words “I was very sad and confused and didn’t know too much about [the disease]. I didn’t know if she was going to be okay or what was wrong.” By visiting this website you can get more information of the Children Diabetes Foundation https:// www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/uchenna-nwosupartners-with-childrens-diabetes-foundation/ additionally, you can hear Nwosu discuss why he chooses this initiative to support by clicking on the link below, https://youtu.be/ j4uyPp_dEuw Scott Quessenberry According to the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MarineRaiderFoundation/ The MARSOC Foundation d/b/a Marine Raider Foundation focuses on meeting needs unmet by the government and other organizations. The Foundation’s four main programs are Raider Support; Family Resiliency; Tragedy Assistance and Survivor Support; and Raider Legacy and Preservation.

Since standing up in May of 2012, the Foundation has provided over $4 million in support, thanks to donors, fundraisers, and advocates who are committed to the cause and the Raider community it serves. Scott discusses the purpose of his chosen cause to support with me in this link below, https://youtu.be/32UPxNZP3u8 Michael Schofield Per their website http:// schofieldfamilyfoundation.com/, The mission of the Schofield Family Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to providing funding, support, and awareness to improve the lives of others in our beloved communities. Those include military, first responders, youth sports organizations, families in need and furthering the advancement of education and research. Click on the link below to hear Michael speak about this purpose himself, https://youtu.be/ld3sooFyI_o There are more than 20 players on the Chargers who have to choose to participate in the My Cause, My Cleats initiative. I hope to gain more feedback from Chargers participants along with player responses later this week.

Joey Bosa/Pediatric Cancer Awarness- MoreThan4 (Courtesy Photo)

In the meantime, you can visit https://www.nfl.com/ mycausemycleats to see what other players around the league have chosen to support.

Please let us know your thoughts on our Supremacy Rankings by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me

on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms, Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Anthony Davis Nets 50 in Big Home Win Versus Timberwolves

LeBron James had 32 points, 13 assists with 4 boards in Sunday’s win. (Photo Credit: @ClutchClipshoop)

“Just keep feeding him,” was Lebron James reply after the game when asked about noticing Anthony Davis had the hot hand early. Davis, exploded for a season high 50 points Sunday night in a 142-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Fellow Wildcat, Karl-Anthony Towns has been having a year of career highs this season, but was no match for Davis. In 38 minutes Davis put up an efficient stat line of 50 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, 4 steals and two blocks.

Kat put up a very quiet 19 and 8 effort in the battle of the Wildcats.

Lebron James found himself in unfamiliar territory early, foul trouble. He acquired his 4th personal fouls

midway through the 2nd quarter, but that didn’t stop him from having an accompanying evening to Davis effort. In just 28 minutes, James finished with 32 points, 13 assists with 4 boards.

Lakers, without Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo got great assistance off the bench at the guard spot from Alex Caruso. He added 16 points, 4 boards and 4 assists. A great defensive effort was also noticeable from Caruso as he held his own chasing around Jeff Teague and Jarret Cluver.

The Lakers move to 21-3 on the season. They embark on a 5 game road trip starting in Orlando Wednesday evening.

Anthony Davis scored his new Lakers high of 50 points along with 7 boards, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in Sunday’s win. (Photo Credit: @ClutchClipshoop)

Special People Come to See Rams

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer There’s more than Football going on at a Rams game.

It was the final NFL Monday Night Game at the Coliseum.

They took time to honor Army Staff Sergeant Patrick Ketchum.

He served in the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He later went on to serve in Germany, Afghanistan, and in Iraq for two

deployments before retiring in 2015 after 13 years of service.

Ketchum was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal.

There was the always noticeable Eric Dickerson. After becoming the second overall pick in 1983 Dickerson became an immediate success setting rookie records and earning All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors. In 11 NFL seasons, Dickerson registered 13,259 rushing yards, 90 touchdowns and averaged 4.4

yards per carry. He was named to six Pro Bowls, received five All-Pro honors, and was a four-time rushing champion leading him to a Hall of Fame induction in 1999.

“I am glad the Rams are back in Los Angeles where they belong,” said Dickerson. Noe let’s get behind Todd Gurley and Cheer him on.”

American singer/songwriter and Norwalk, CA native ZHAVIA performed the National Anthem prior to kickoff. She was a contestant on the inaugural season of

FOX’s singing competition The Four, Zhavia emerged as a fan favorite with her soulful voice and quickly amassed a dedicated and loyal fan base with over 3.5 million followers on Instagram.

The Venture County Sheriffs Department Color Guard presented colors.

LA Kings players such as Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick, Trevor Lewis and others lit the Coliseum torch prior to kickoff.

Norwalk, California native ZHAVIA take time out after singing a super rendition of the National Anthem. (Photo Credit: Earl Heath)

Rams Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson chats with Chris Hale before Rams game. (Photo Credit: Earl Heath)

Army Staff Sergeant PATRICK KETCHUM ,his wife along with RAMPAGE.Ketchum was honored during the first quarter of the RAMS 28-12 win over Seattle at the Coliseum. (Photo Credit: Earl Heath)

Thursday, December 12, 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Entertainment

Serena Williams Builds Schools in Africa

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent While many deep-pocketed philanthropists and celebrities will write checks to support worthy causes, Tennis megastar Serena Williams routinely goes the extra mile.

In a recently released video, Williams donned a pair of jeans, workboats, a hardhat and went to work on Salt Marsh Elementary School in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica.

Williams, who has won a total of 39 Tennis Grand Slams – including Doubles titles, has also built grade schools in Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

Williams built the Marsh Elementary through a partnership with the nonprofit Helping Hands Jamaica, while the schools in Africa were in conjunction with Build Africa.

It’s part of the mission of Williams’ Serena Williams Fund and her other charitable efforts, which include the Serena Williams Venture, where the tennis champion seeks to boost the bottom line of individual companies.

“In 2014, I launched Serena Ventures with the mission of giving opportunities to founders across an array of industries. Serena Ventures invests in companies that embrace diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity, and opportunity,” Williams said in a statement posted on her organization’s website.

“Serena Ventures focuses on early-stage companies and allowing them to be heard. As we grow, we hope to mentor young founders and take burgeoning entrepreneurs to the next level,” she stated.

“Serena Ventures extends relationships, encourages collaboration among portfolio companies, and expands partnership opportunities across my vast network. Similar to many of the companies we have invested in, we are just getting started and are hoping to make a difference.”

Also, according to Charity Buzz, the Serena Williams Fund was established to promote equity; through education, gender, race, disability, or anything else that stands in the way of someone achieving their goals and living their best possible life.

“The mission of this charity is to help the individuals or communities affected by to violence, and [to ensure] equal access to education,” Williams stated.

Knowing the value of creating strong partnerships with organizations with expertise in their fields, Williams counts as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador. She has partnered with organizations such as Beyond the Boroughs Scholarship Fund, The Equal Justice Initiative, The Caliber Foundation, and Build Africa Schools.

Jessica Curney of Borgen Magazine reported that be-

Serena in Africa. Courtesy photo.

fore each of her matches, Williams reads and writes affirmations out loud from her diary about wanting to help people, kids, and work in Africa.

“Through the Serena Williams Fund, Williams dedicates her off-season time improving access to education by building schools in underprivileged areas of the world,” Gurney reported.

“She has done extraordinary tasks using her own resources and through partnerships with the Serena Williams Fund and other foundations dedicated to providing and improving education for those in difficult conditions or developing countries. Her active role has notably left a mark on those who have had their lives changed significantly through this act of kindness.”

Serena Williams at The American Issue for The FADER (Photo: sperry/Wikimedia Commons)

Chevrolet Suburban First Vehicle to Receive Award of Excellence Star Iconic vehicle starred in more than 1,750 films and television series since 1952 LOS ANGELES (December 5th, 2019) — Today, the Chevrolet Suburban became the first vehicle ever awarded an Award of Excellence star at Hollywood & Highland.

Presented by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and unveiled at a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, the award recognizes Suburban for its 67-year career in Hollywood film and television.

“For six decades the Chevrolet Suburban has been Hollywood’s longest-working actor,” said Rana Ghadban, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “Appearing in classic feature films and on must-see television shows, the Suburban is a well-established industry mainstay. With the Chevrolet Tahoe also making an impact in movies and on television, it’s impressive to have both vehicles now join an illustrious group of actors and

at Hollywood & Highland Chevrolet Suburban Recognized By Film Industry, Gets Hollywood Star. (Courtesy Photo)

characters that are forever known as Hollywood legends.”

During its acting career the Suburban evolved to become the ultimate character actor, able to play the hero, the villain, or the family alike.

“There’s really nothing else like the Chevrolet Suburban in this business, for two reasons,” said Dennis McCarthy, Hollywood picture car coordinator. “First, it’s one of the most versatile vehicles in the business, able to fit with any type of character. Second, it can help instantly give a scene added importance. When a convoy of black Suburbans appears on screen, you know that’s not the time to leave your seat to buy popcorn.”

The relationship between the Chevy Suburban and Hollywood began in 1952, when it first appeared on the silver screen. Since then, Suburban has starred in more than 1,750 films and television series. It has appeared in at least one television series every year since 1956, and at least one film every year since 1960. Suburban has also appeared in more than 30 award-nominated films.

The filmography is even more impressive when combined with the Chevy Tahoe. Together, Tahoe and Suburban have appeared in more than 2,500 films and television shows. Since the Tahoe was introduced in 1995, it has appeared in at least one film and television show every year.

According to Tim Kozub, design manager for Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, their on-screen persona also influenced the all-new Suburban and Tahoe, which will be unveiled later this month: “This is a great example of how life and art influence each other. The popularity of Suburban and Tahoe in film was first inspired by the real-life roles they played in the military, in law enforcement and family trips around the world. Today, their role in Hollywood inspired the design of the all-new models, as we integrated the sense of capability, action, and importance associated with Suburban and Tahoe on screen.”

For more information on the Tahoe and Suburban, please visit Chevrolet.com.

Mall Pianist Channels Liberace w/African-American Edge

By KIM BRIGGEMAN Missoulian MISSOULA, MT (AP) – Deck the mall with boughs of . Darth Vader?

Asaph Adonai loves to read the faces of Southgate Mall’s security guards turn from somber to grin when they stroll by him at play at the piano.

The cheery holiday tunes, classic Beethoven or what Adonai calls “Sinatra Dinner Music” halts for a moment, as a teasing Adonai replaces them with the dark tones of the “Imperial March,” Darth Vader’s theme song.

Missoula’s “Supermarket Pianist” is performing at the Orange Julius corner every afternoon except Sundays through Dec. 20, and you’ll likely hear everything from “Up on the Housetop” to “Strangers in the Night” to Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” to the theme from Mighty Mouse in his four-hour stints.

It’s Adonai’s 10th consecutive year playing at the mall for the holidays, and this one is special.

He’s channeling everything Liberace, the iconic pianist and showman’s glittery, glitzy costumes, the ostentatious rings on his ivory-tickling fingers, and the candelabra on the multi-hued mall spinet.

Rebecca Wagner and Deborah Stebbins of Rococo Bridal and Formal Wear began months ago styling the four Liberace outfits for Adonai’s mall anniversary.

Liberace, he said, got the candelabra idea from the 1945 movie “Song to Remember” about Fredric Chopin.

“He was in his heyday in 1952, and of course Liberace’s been gone since 1987. So it’s 2019 and I’m doing it and it seems to work,” Adonai said Thursday with glee. (He says most things with glee.)

“Plus, I have the African-American edge. I don’t think there’s a lot of African-American pianists with a candelabra.

So that’s my little niche.”

“He’s very unique in what he does,” said another Missoula piano player, Jim Rogers, who stopped by to say hi while waiting for snow tires to be mounted at a shop nearby.

Rogers knows his way up and down a keyboard. He plays with the Bop-A-Dips, the Ed Norton Big Band, the country band Northern Lights, and sometimes with the

Big Sky Mudflaps, among others.

“Asaph does the Liberace thing,” Rogers said. “There’s not too many other people I know that do that, dressing up and doing things like he does.”

The affable 61-year-old Adonai has become a folk figure of sorts since his arrival in Missoula in January 2008, after a dozen years in Billings and more than 30 making music in his native California and on the Strip in Las Vegas.

Here his popularity is spurred by regular performances at Jim Edwards’ Pattee Creek Market on Southwest Higgins. Those, too, started 10 years ago.

“I just went in to get some toilet paper, and they happened to have a piano in there,” Adonai said. “The lady that was running the bakery asked me to play a tune, and Jim Edwards just happened to be nearby and asked me if I’d start playing in the store. That’s how that started.”

The title of his 2015 book “Supermarket Pianist” is based on that experience, but the story’s about his life and, Adonai said, “some of the things I experienced growing up, which were pretty dark.”

“It got a 5-star rating on Amazon,” he added. “I was really surprised. It’s on sale at Fact and Fiction.”

He’s also a YouTube regular with a Missoula Community Access Television’s series “Asaph Adonai Stories.” The most recent segment is on Liberace, which went online this week.

Adonai said his piano style was honed in Billings, where he played for several years at the Billings Hotel.

“I was taught how to take any popular song and play it in a classical style,” he said, demonstrating with a rendition of “White Christmas.”

“I trained for over a year to do that.”

His teacher, the late Marshall Caswell, was a professional pianist at the Northern Hotel. As a young man, Adonai received his initial music instruction in Los Angeles from R.A. “Bumps” Blackwell, Little Richard’s manager and groomer of the likes of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Sam Cooke and Herb Alpert.

“I was like one of his last students,” Adonai said. “This had to be about 40 years ago. I went on to study with him for three years. We lost him in ‘85, and if he hadn’t passed away he would have become my manager. But I had so

much experience by then I was able to get my own work.”

He’s found a home in Missoula, where there’s plenty of call for a gregarious professional piano player. Adonai’s first gig at the mall was on Black Friday and for now his play list includes just a sprinkling of Christmas tunes. That’ll change as the big day nears, he promised.

“The main purpose is to bring joy and smiles to the

people,” Adonai said. “Think about it. I mean, this isn’t going to change anyone’s life, me being Liberace. But if I can bring a smile or joy, even if it’s just for a moment, that’s what I want to do, especially during this holiday season.

And we live in a world where we could use some joy, don’t you think?”

A6

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Local

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Celebrating the Season at Inglewood’s Tree Lighting

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer INGLEWOOD, CA – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the City of Inglewood. Several hundred residents and people from surrounding communities were in attendance for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, December 5, 2019, from 6-8PM, on the South Plaza of City Hall, One Manchester Blvd.

Despite the much-needed recent rains, the weather on this festive evening was quite pleasant. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., Councilmembers, RAMs and Los Angeles Clippers Cheerleaders were also present for the occasion. Nothing says the Holidays than gathering amongst family, friends and neighbors for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Guy Black, Radio Host, KKJLH 102.3FM and Mrs. Claus served as Master of Ceremonies. Attendees enjoyed free light refreshments which consisted of Hot Cocoa, Cookies and Popcorn.

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. turned the switch to light up the beautiful Christmas Tree on the South Plaza, as well as the lights that adorned the south wall of City Hall.

Residents, their families, friends and neighbors were able to capture the essence of the season with their cameras and cell phones. Photos from the evening were trending on Social Media platforms.

The highlight of the evening featured performances by two special guest vocalists. Inglewood’s own Becky G and her cousin Rah Rah thrilled the crowd with their rendition of “Santa Baby,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

This latter song served as the perfect intro as Santa Claus made his grand appearance to the delight of his many adoring young fans.

Michel’Le sang several of her hit tunes as well as a holiday classic. She opened with “No More Lies,” followed by “Silent Night” that showcased her vocal range. Michel’Le concluded her crowd pleasing set with “Something in My Heart.”

Santa reappeared on stage to greet and to share a special gift with the kids. If your schedule permits, check out the City of Inglewood Holiday Tree while it is on display.

Michel’Le (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Becky G (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Becky G (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Michel’Le (Ricky Richardson Photo)